Challenges and Future Trends of IC Chips in Drones

Drone technology; image source Freepik

Are you curious about how drone technology works? Just like many other modern electronics, IC chips are heavily involved.

The fact that drones rely on electric energy means that everything about their operations involves integrated circuits. For years, they have been at the core of the drone technology development. Anyone who would want to design and manufacture drones will have to prioritize using semiconductor chips in their production process.

Additionally, IC chips are still shaping the future of the drone industry. Since new inventions are still being developed in the semiconductor industry,  we expect these developments to affect the drone industry. In other words, IC chips are expected to show the current trends and also the future of drone technology.

In as much as IC chips are considered the drivers of innovation in the drone technology industry, numerous challenges are associated with using them.

 In this article, we are going to discuss key challenges and as well as future trends of IC chis in dromes. If you are in the drone industry, the guide will equip you with the right information that you will use for ailing through the industry.

 Overview  of drones

Also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) drones are technically aircraft that are designed to fly without a human pilot on board.

In the absence of pilots, most drones are remote-controlled. However, the advancement of technology has paved way for the autonomous drones. These can fly without close human supervision.  Such drones are either pre-programmed with the scheduled flights. The development of AI has given rise to intelligent drones whose flights are controlled by   AI agents.

Drones come in different sizes and are packed with different features. Some are small and can be hand-held while others are large almost the same sizes as cars.

Regardless of the size difference, all of them have electronic components that control their navigation and how they operate. They also have data storage features that handle all the data and instructions about their operations.

Various electronic components are involved in the running of drones. For example, sensors are used for data gathering. The power unit provides the much-needed energy for propulsion and flight. The communication system facilitates the exchange of data between the drone and the remote controller. Usually, this communication is implemented through radio frequency (RF) systems.

All the components are housed in an airframe which provides physical and structural support. It is made of strong but lightweight materials Each drone has a unique design of an airframe. It all depends on the purpose and application area of the drone.

Main IC chips for drones

Before we even focus on the trends, let’s look at some of the semiconductor chips that are used on drones.

Chips for drones are special types of integrated circuits that are specifically designed to be used on drones. They provide the required processing power, control features, and connectivity for data exchange.

Data collection is one of the key functions of drones. Drones can capture data in the form of images and videos.  Such jobs are done by drone-mounted cameras

Once the data has been captured, it needs to be stored. This is where the importance of memory chis comes in. These ICs are used for storing data in the drone.

Network ICs are used for implementing connectivity between drones and other devices. There should be a perfect connection between the drone and the remote controller that is operated by a user. IC chips are used for implementing this type of connection. Network ICs are powerful enough to facilitate real-time communication between controllers and drones, especially when it comes to coordinated missions.

The power unit is also a major component of any drone. This unit provides the required current and voltage that is needed to run the whole drone system. Power management ICs are also responsible for controlling the energy consumption of drones. This is why some drones can fly for long periods without depleting their energy stores.

There are many other tasks that IC chips perform in drones. Each semiconductor chip that is designed and developed has to take into consideration the task that it will perform on drones.

Key challenges of ICs in drones

Here are some of the main challenges  that are facing the usage of IC chips in drone technology:

Weight

Weight is an important factor when it comes to any flying object. Drones should be light to ensure that they can fly without any constraints.

Semiconductor chip manufacturers are under immense pressure to produce lightweight chips.  Finding a perfect balance between weight and performance is not an easy task. This is because high-performing chips are likely to have more components and carry significant weight.

Heat dissipation

IC manufacturers are finding it hard to balance heat dissipation and performance. Powerful ICs are likely to dissipate significant levels of heat energy.

Usually, manufacturers have to package the chips with an array of cooling solutions, some of which end up affecting the weight of the ICs

Sustainability

Manufacturers are required to produce sustainable semiconductor chips. They should cause minimal environmental degradation.

Various performance factors have to be compromised to produce drones that meet the minimum sustainable requirements.

Harsh environmental conditions

Since most drones are used in outdoor setups, they are likely to be exposed to harsh environmental conditions.  Extreme temperature ranges are one of the conditions and are likely to affect the performance of the IC chips. IC chip manufacturers have to keep this in mind when designing and manufacturing semiconductor chips for drones.

Power consumption

This is one of the biggest challenges that affect IC chips in drones. There is immense pressure to produce energy-efficient drones; ones that can deliver the best performance without draining power at a fast rate. It is quite challenging to balance the energy consumption of IC chis with the performance. Chances are one has to be let go at the expense of another.

The good news is with the advancement of technology, IC chip manufacturers are coming up with innovative ways of solving these challenges.

Future trends of IC chips in drones

There is a rich history of the use of IC chips on drones. Here are some of the  trends that we should expect to experience  when it comes to the relationship between semiconductor chips and drone technology:

Higher processing power

The Future IC chips for drones are expected to be more powerful and efficient. They will have higher processing power and be capable of performing more technical tasks. This is possible due to the general technological advancement.

AI and machine learning in drones

Currently, artificial intelligence is the hottest thing in the world of technology. It is expected to make its way into drone technology.

AI-based chips are expected to be more prevalent in drone technology. They make it possible to train drones which will end up performing different tasks autonomously.

Edge computing

Drones shortly are expected to utilize the power of edge computing. This will be possible with the help of semiconductor chips that facilitate high levels of data processing in computer networks.

With edge computing, drones will be able to operate near the data source, a key factor that will improve their performance and efficiency.

Energy efficiency

The future of IC chis will enhance the energy efficiency in drone technology. Power management ICs (PMICs)  are expected to improve the energy consumption properties of drones. Additionally, they also enhance the energy storage capacities of batteries that are used in drone technology. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, the future of drone technology is defined by semiconductor chips. Since the chis are the building blocks of drones, we expect them to ower the future of this technology.

ICs are projected to produce powerful drones that have a myriad of capabilities. Are you wondering why drones are increasingly becoming smaller? Well,  IC chips are credited for this. Enhanced security and a high level of intelligence are just among the numerous trends in drone technology that have been influenced by IC chips.

However, we cannot deny that the usage of IC chips in drone technology is facing a myriad of challenges that come in different forms.

The good news most of these challenges can be overcome by embracing new technological solutions in the field of semiconductor chips. Also, there is more research and development in the IC chip industry and most of it is geared towards providing long-lasting solutions to the current challenges.

One of the solutions that you may consider embracing is buying modern IC chips for drone technology. They are updated with new features and technologies that solve old problems.

Find an IC chip supplier that is always updating its stocks with the latest products. This way, there is a high chance of finding newly updated semiconductor chips for drones.

We at ICRFQ are always up to date with the latest trends and developments in different fields, including drone technology.

For the past 20 years that we have been in the business, we have worked with many drone manufacturers. Most of them trust us when it comes to sourcing IC chips for their drones.   We always keep our communication channels open and are commited to building strong relationships with our customers. Talk to us in case you are ready to embrace the future of IC chips in drones